Go-ahead for new homes at Islington’s oldest estate

An illustration of how the new flats will look at the Wedmore Estate in Upper Holloway

ISLINGTON’S oldest estate will see a new block built after plans were approved by the Town Hall on Monday, despite protests from neighbours who fear overcrowding.

Around six people living near the proposed block in Upper Hollo­way opposed the scheme at the planning meeting where councillors unanimously backed the plans.

The new residential block in the Wedmore Estate will range from two to six storeys in height and will feature 19 new homes along with bike storage facilities. The build will include seven three-bedrooms flats which are highly sought after by families in the borough.

The new block will be built on a car park currently used by the estate’s residents and will see 12 units that will be “affordable” and two which are shared ownership. Five of the new flats will be available to buy on the private market.

The Wedmore Estate Tenant Resident Association objected to the plans alongside other residents living nearby who were worried about a loss in parking, overcrowding and a loss of daylight reaching their properties.

But a planning officer, who recommended approval for the scheme, said: “The proposal delivers much-needed affordable housing with an appropriate mix of sizes and tenure. The application also delivers a number of planning benefits including landscape improve­ments and a rationalisation of car parking. Overall, in land use terms, the proposal is considered to meet the objectives of adopted planning policy.”

The original estate was built in 1904 and was the first blocks built by Islington Council which kickstarted social housing in the borough. There are currently four blocks with 162 flats in the estate and current tenants will be given priority on the new flats if they are looking to downsize their homes.

Tim Nicholls, a Labour councillor representing Junction Ward where the build is, said on social media after the plans were approved: “The Wedmore has a fantastic community. What they’ve achieved there is awesome. But I’ve long thought they deserve better. And I hand-on-heart believe the 19 new units, with new play space, greening and new entrances will help do that.”